DO I SPOUT OR STRAW?
#weaningatarah


Weaning is overwhelming especially for the first time mommies, Apart from starting solids we are going to introduce a very important element "Water".. Lot of confusions amongst moms, How much water to offer ? How do I give? Is water that important though I breast feed?..

Till 6 months our paediatricians recommend exclusively breast feeding alone or formula milk. Both has enough water to keep the baby hydrated, As soon as we start solids we can start offering water but not more than 40 to 60 ml per day. Because too much of water will displace the nutritious Breast milk and formula milk which will be their main source of nutrition till 1 year. Also it simply fills their small tummy and they might not eat the solids. However if you notice constipation in Babies go ahead and offer more, by the end of 9 months you can slowly increase their water intake, Do not worry if baby is not taking water, just keep offering they will learn to drink water.

How to offer water?
Start offering water with spoon 🥄 first and slowly with small open cup, they will spill a lot but it's okay as they learn things making lot of mistakes. But it will be challenging when you take the baby out, feeding with small cups or spoon is messy. Most of the moms are confused whether to introduce spout or straw?

Spout cups /bottles :

Ideal for bottle fed babies, bottle fed babies put very less pressure to suck milk unlike breast fed babies, they need slow transition. So start with spout first and slowly introduce straw bottle, it takes time to learn. Both formula and feeding bottle should be weaned off by 1 year, if you are planning to offer animal milk then opt for spout cup and slowly do the transition to open cup.

Straw cup /bottle :

Breast fed babies doesn't; need a spout, they can easily drink from straw in few attempts. They don't need a feeding bottle as well hence post 1 year if you are planning to give animal milk simply offer in straw cup.

360 Miracle cup :

As the name states water can be sucked from 360 degrees, it's spill proof. Few moms may not be comfortable introducing straw or spout hence this is the ideal choice. This is also called training cup, both water and milk can be offered in this, it takes time for them to suck as they need to put pressure. Do not panic if they don't take it in first few attempts.

I introduced Philips Avent straw bottle when Atarah turned 6 months and she drank like a pro, She drank less water in the beginning but post 8 months started to drink more.

I have attached images of straw, spout and 360 training cups. There are lot of brands available but go for a BPA free ones, Never pour hot water in bottle always cool and then fill the bottles. If you want sterilisation can be done or simply wash with any liquid soap, clean and dry.